More than one in 10 patients admitted to hospital with a serious respiratory disorder is dead within 90 days, a study has found.

And a third of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are readmitted within this time.

The Royal College of Physicians and the British Thoracic Society audited COPD care across the UK.

The BTS's Professor Andrew Peacock said it was "really worrying" and underlined the need for more specialists.

The survey found patients had a better chance of survival if they were seen by a specialist respiratory consultant.

COPD

An umbrella term to describe lung disease associated with airflow obstruction

Includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma

Fifth most common cause of death in England and Wales

Accounts for more than 10% of acute hospital admissions

900,000 people diagnosed in UK

Estimated that 1.5m people remain undiagnosed

The presence of a specialist also helped to cut the length of hospital stays.

But the report found that only 30% of patients were admitted under a respiratory specialist, and more than half (52%) were not under specialist care while in hospital.

One in three NHS trusts had fewer than the minimum of two specialists recommended by the BTS.

Ventilation

Non-invasive ventilation to help breathing was available in 89% of units, but the audit showed that it was not always being used for patients who needed it.

Less than one in seven patients who died in hospital received added ventilation support.

Professor Andrew Peacock, from the BTS, called for a National Service Framework for respiratory disease to ratchet up standards across the NHS.

He said: "This research is really worrying and underlines the need for more lung specialists across the board."

Dr Mike Roberts, of the RCP, said: "Care received by COPD patients remains a lottery with many not benefiting from the potentially life-saving and life-enhancing care provided by a specialist respiratory team."

Government response

A Department of Health spokesperson said COPD was covered by recent guidelines on improving care of people with long-term conditions.